The Project EDWARD team has issued a call for road safety stakeholders to support its social media ‘thunderclap’ campaign, scheduled for next Tuesday, 13 June.

The thunderclap ‘crowd-speaking’ campaign marks 100 days until the 2017 ‘European Day Without A Road Death’ (Project EDWARD) which is taking place on Thursday 21 September.

Organised by TISPOL, Project EDWARD encourages drivers, riders and pedestrians to spare an extra thought for their safety. The initiative is also designed to draw attention to the 70 deaths that occur on average each day on Europe’s roads.

On Saturday, 3rd June 2017, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service launched a new event at The Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells.

The first ever Cruz Cymru event was a roaring success. It was a road safety event which gave road users, emergency services and road safety partners an opportunity to gather in one place at the same time; as well as allowing Car Clubs and enthusiasts to come together and showcase their vehicles, in a friendly, competitive manner. Visitors enjoyed a fun filled day for the whole family.

The event was supported by other agencies including St John’s Ambulance, GoSafe, Road Safety Wales and Dyfed Powys Police.

Group Manager and Head of Operational Response Neil Evans commented, “As an experienced driver of cars, lorries and motorcycles, as well as a keen cyclist, it’s clear to me that not all road users are respectful of other road users, and this event offered a great opportunity to educate and highlight the dangers that we face every day when travelling on our roads.”

He added, “The day was a huge success with off roaders, cruise cars, motorbikes and lorries in attendance. Visitors came in their droves and it was lovely to see everyone mix well together, whilst learning important road safety messages such as the Fatal 5.”

The event saw over 1000 visitors throughout the day and displayed 200 vehicles from different Car Clubs from across Wales.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is looking forward to making this an annual event and has already set the wheels in motion for Cruz Cymru 2018!

Apple has announced that its next iPhone software update will feature a ‘do not disturb while driving’ mode.

Due later this year, the iOS 11 update will provide all iPhones with the function, which is designed to address the dangers associated with smartphones and distraction.

The software will sense when a person is driving, and when activated will block notifications from calls, texts and social media. The user won't even be able to access the phone’s homescreen to open apps.

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has produced a new ‘thought-provoking’ film designed to highlight the importance of safety and compliance in van operations.

‘One Fateful Day’ tells the story of a male van driver, distracted by using his mobile phone as he talks to his office. He is also subsequently found to have been taking drugs and to be driving a defective vehicle – all of which have ‘catastrophic consequences’ for the driver, operations manager and company owner.

The film is the brainchild of Mark Cartwright, the FTA’s head of vans and LCVs, who says the story illustrates some of the typical failings seen among van operators.

A record number of children across Caerphilly took part in Walk to School Week 2017, ditching the car in favour of fresh air and exercise!

An impressive 8,000 pupils across 32 Primary Schools took part in the annual initiative which celebrates the health and social benefits of walking to school. Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Road safety Team deliver resources to those schools taking part, working closely with pupil Eco Committees and Junior Road Safety Officers in order to allow the pupils to help run the activities in school. As a result, schools have reported less traffic and congestion and pupils have been wide awake and ready to learn by the time they arrive at school, these are two of the most important immediate effects of walking to school.